1998 FORD E-350 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply, Inc. (Cummings) is recalling various model year 1994-2011 Ford and Chevrolet vans equipped with Braun NCL-2, and NVL-2 wheel chair lifts manufactured November 20, 2006, through September 10, 2010. Over time, and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts in these vans may become bent or misaligned.

Remedy: Braun Corporation notified all the vehicle owners, and Cummings Mobility replaced the recalled parts with new parts, free of charge. The recall was completed as of April 10, 2014. Owners may contact Cummings customer service at 1-800-639-5438.

66 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

4,500,000 vehicles affected

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

ONENESS MOBILITY IS RECALLING 19 MY 1998, AND 2005-2006 E-350 VANS BUILT ON FORD CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Remedy: ONENESS MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR ONENESS MOBILITY AT 1-818-267-3000.

19 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

225,000 vehicles affected

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

3,600,000 vehicles affected

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AMBULANCE PREP PACKAGES OR OTHER SEVERE-DUTY APPLICATIONS INVOLVING OPERATION AT OR NEAR THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH FREQUENT TWISTING OF THE VEHICLE BODY, SUCH AS OFF-ROAD, ROUGH ROAD OR SPEED BUMP EVENTS, THE 35 GALLON MID-SHIP FUEL TANK COULD DEVELOP A CRACK WHERE IT CONTACTS THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. IF THE FUEL TANK CRACKS, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND, IF CRACKED, WILL REPLACE THE TANK. INSULATOR PADS WILL BE INSTALLED ON ALL VEHICLES TO REDUCE THE STRESS LEVELS IN THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

151,000 vehicles affected

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BI-FUEL CNG PICKUP TRUCKS AND BI-FUEL CNG VANS, MODIFIED BY CFI CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC., FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 303, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS VEHICLES." THE LABEL AFFIXED TO THE FUEL FILLER DOOR BY THE VEHICLE MODIFIER CONTAINS THE INSPECTION DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE OF THE CNG TANK. HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT CONTAIN THE STATEMENT "SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FUEL CONTAINER FOR INSPECTION AND SERVICE LIFE."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED A LABEL WITH THE REQUIRED STATEMENT, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL AT THE FUEL FILLER DOOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 2, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

4,500 vehicles affected

When braking hard, braking power declines after mid peddle range, resulting in crash. Had taken to dealer many years earlier for ABS recall fix.

Crash

SPARK PLUGS POTENTIALLY EJECT FROM CYLINDER HEADS DUE TO BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN USING ALUMINUM HEADS WITH INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THREADS TO HOLD SPARK PLUGS WHEN IN MOTION. NEWER VEHICLES WERE RE-ENGINEERED TO ELIMINATE THIS HAPPENING. REQUEST RECALL AND REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH STARFIRE SF-510 TIRES, SIZE LT245-75-R16 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A STATE INSPECTION, THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FOUND WITH INTERNAL INDENTATIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FOR E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VAN WAS IDLE WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND VENTS. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Fire

I RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM AND STILL HAVE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN IT. I GOT OUT OF THE MY FORD VAN AND WENT AROUND TO THE SIDE DOOR TO OPEN IT UP TO GET MY DOGS OUT OF IT. I COULD NOT OPEN THE SIDE DOOR, I THOUGHT THE DOORS HAD SOMEHOW GOT LOCKED AND I WAS PANICING. IT WAS VERY HOT AND I KNEW I HAD TO GET MY DOGS OUT FAST. I WAS HUNTING FOR SOMETHING TO BREAK THE WINDOW OUT WITH BUT HAD NO LUCK FINDING ANYTHING. AFTER ABOUT 20 OR SO MINUTES I FINALLY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS WERE IN THE UP POSITION INDICATING THAT THE DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR SAVING ME FROM HAVING TOO BREAK OUT THE GLASS AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE VAN AND OPEN THE REAR DOOR. I LOVE MY DOGS BUT WHAT IF THIS HAD BEEN A CHILD.AND COULDN'T OPEN THE DOORS IN TIME. LUCKLY I DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DOORS WERE NOT LOCKED AND THAT IT WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE BACK DOOR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THAT DOOR. THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DISTRASTROUS AND NOT TO MENTION THE COST OF REPAIRING THE WINDOW HAD I BEEN ABLE TO BREAK IT, THINGS TURNED OUT WELL THANK GOODNESS BUT IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE THE RESULTS COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT. THIS IS SUNDAY AND I NOW HAVE TO GET MY VAN TO A FORD DEALER TO FIX THE REAR DOOR SO I CAN OPEN IT UP AS I STILL CAN'T OPEN IT UP FROM THE OUTSIDE.. I THINK THE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE WOULD BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DELAMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,910 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 202,300.

1998 FORD E 350 POWERSTROKE 7.3 DIESEL. THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR (CPS) FAILURE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OF THE UNIT FAILING ON ME SINCE THIS FIRST ONE ON DEC 13TH, 2007. IN THE FIRST CASE, I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL. THE VAN WAS SPUTTERING THE WHOLE WAY AND I EVENTUALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. FORD HAD JUST ISSUED THE RECALL ON DEC 6TH, 2007, AND THEY HONORED THE REPAIR. THE SECOND CPS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON FEB 23RD, 2010. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER GETTING A PARKING TICKET. I CANNOT FIND PROOF THAT FORD HONORED THE REPAIR. THE 3RD CPS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON SUNDAY FEB 27TH, 2011, ONE YEAR AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT. I WAS IN FLAGSTAFF, AZ DURING A SNOWSTORM, AND THE VEHICLE WAS FAILING ON ME ON ROUTE 66. IT STALLED TWICE ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AS THE SNOWPLOWS WHIPPED AROUND ME. I GOT BACK TO WHERE I WAS STAYING, AND WAITED UNTIL MONDAY MORNING WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE CPS UNIT REPLACED. THIS ENGINE IS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE. THE CPS UNIT CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AND MAYBE AT ANY SPEED, THOUGH MY ISSUES WERE AT LOW SPEED OR AT STARTUP. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THIS LATEST INCIDENT BECAUSE THEY SAY AFTER MY FIRST REPLACEMENT IN DEC 2007 THAT MY 'CASE WAS CLOSED'. *TR

POWERSTROKE 7.3 DIESEL. THE CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR (CPS) FAILURE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT FORD WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. I HAVE HAD THREE INSTANCES OF THE UNIT FAILING ON ME SINCE THIS FIRST ONE ON DEC 13TH, 2007. IN THE FIRST CASE, I WAS TAKING MY SON TO SCHOOL. THE VAN WAS SPUTTERING THE WHOLE WAY AND I EVENTUALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. FORD HAD JUST ISSUED THE RECALL ON DEC 6TH, 2007, AND THEY HONORED THE REPAIR. THE SECOND CPS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON FEB 23RD, 2010. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START; I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AFTER GETTING A PARKING TICKET. I CANNOT FIND PROOF THAT FORD HONORED THE REPAIR. THE 3RD CPS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON SUNDAY FEB 27TH, 2011, ONE YEAR AFTER THE 2ND INCIDENT. I WAS IN FLAGSTAFF, AZ DURING A SNOWSTORM, AND THE VEHICLE WAS FAILING ON ME ON ROUTE 66. IT STALLED TWICE ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY AS THE SNOWPLOWS WHIPPED AROUND ME. I GOT BACK TO WHERE I WAS STAYING, AND WAITED UNTIL MONDAY MORNING WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE CPS UNIT REPLACED. THIS ENGINE IS UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE. THE CPS UNIT CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, AND MAYBE AT ANY SPEED, THOUGH MY ISSUES WERE AT LOW SPEED OR AT STARTUP. FORD WILL NOT HONOR THIS LATEST INCIDENT BECAUSE THEY SAY AFTER MY FIRST REPLACEMENT IN DEC 2007 THAT MY "CASE WAS CLOSED IN 2007".

BRAKE LINE CORROSION THAT LET FLUID DRAIN AND CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

I PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 7 MICHELIN LTX M/S TIRES LT225/75R16 E FOR MY MINI MOTORHOME. THEY ARE DRY-ROTTING RIGHT OFF THE RIMS. THIS IS AN ESTABLISHED PROBLEM. WHEN I WAS DIRECTED TO A DEALER (FORREST TIRE OF ARTESIA, NM) I WAS OFFERED A DISCOUNT ON BUYING MORE TIRES. I WAS EXTREMELY DISMAYED THAT MICHELIN WAS QUERYING THE TIRE DEALER ABOUT THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND MILEAGE OF MY MOTORHOME! WHAT HAS THAT GOT TO DO WITH DEFECTIVE/DANGEROUS TIRES? I SPOKE WITH A MAN WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH LTX M/S TIRES THAT CAME ON HIS NEW PICKUP AND THEY WERE REPLACED FOR MOUNTING AND BALANCING ONLY. I PURCHASED TWO FOR THE FRONT, BUT SIMPLY CAN'T BUY ALL 7 ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THEN SUE MICHELIN. THESE ARE LOT NUMBERS B3JH FBXX 0905, 0205, AND 4204. I CAN SCRAPE DRIED RUBBER OFF THE SIDEWALL WITH MY FINGERNAIL! THIS IS DANGEROUS, AND I AM SITTING HERE AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. *TR

BLOWN SPARK PLUG THREADS. REPAIRED BY SELF USING TIMESERT REPAIR KIT MANUFACTURED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS ENGINE AND PROBLEM. *TR

FUEL TANK LINING DETERIORATING. I HAVE FOUND FLAKES IN MY LAST FOUR FUEL FILTERS. VEHICLE LOSS OF POWER, THEN ROUGH RUNNING. THE FLAKES ARE IN THE FILTER I HAVE ADDED BETWEEN TANK AND FUEL PUMP. THEY ARE SMALL PIECES OF GREY OR SILVER PAINT. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE FUEL TANK IN ORDER TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE FILTER THIS MORNING, PUT APPROX. 90 MILES ON VAN AND FOUND SEVERAL OUNCES IN THE FILTER THIS EVENING. *TR

SEVERE CRACKING OF SIDEWALLS OF MOTORHOME TIRES THAT ARE ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. CRACKING BEGAN IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. *TR

E-350 WITH 68,000 MILES #1 SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT FROM CYLINDER HEAD MARCH 2002 SAME MOTOR WITH 183,000 #7 SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT FROM CYLINDER HEAD SAME MOTOR WITH 288,849 #3 SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT FROM CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

I BELIEVE THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE IN MY MOTOR HOME STARTED WITH THE FIRST RECALL (SEPT. 2007)THAT SAID THAT A FUSE-ABLE LINK HAD TO BE INSTALLED IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. I COMPLIED. SHORTLY THERE AFTER MY ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF IRREGULARLY. THEN AFTER A VERY FEW MILES IT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND THEY SAID THAT THE ABS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL ISSUE . THAT MY BRAKES WOULD STILL WORK, THAT THE ABS JUST EFFECTS THE NONE SKID PREVENTION IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. WE TOOK THE MOTOR HOME ON A TRIP TO BIRMINGHAM, (ABOUT 100 MILES) DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. ON 11-24-07 WHILE LEAVING THE CAMPGROUNDS AT ABOUT 20 MPH THE ENGINE QUIT LIKE YOU TURNED OFF THE KEY. A MINOR INSPECTION INDICATED THE MAIN POWER FUSE TO THE COMPUTER HAD BLOWN. . I HAD A WRECKER TOW THE MOTOR HOME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY MORNING I CONTACTED THE SERVICE CENTER AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND CALLED ME AND SAID THAT A VERY EXPENSIVE WIRING HARNESS HAD WAS SHORTED OUT BY A O2 SENSOR AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $1750.00 TO FIX IT. I SAID OK, FIX IT. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE I BROUGHT IT HOME AND HAVEN'T USED IT SENSE. IN FEBRUARY 2008 I GOT ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE THAT THE PART THEY PUT IN MY MOTOR HOME IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MY SYSTEM AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE AT ANY TIME AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT IT BE CHANGED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I COMPLIED. MY QUESTION AND CONCERN IS CAN I TRUST THIS 1998 FORD F350 ON THE ROAD. ALSO I AM RETIRED ON A FIXED INCOME AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULDN'T BE EXPECTED TO BARE THE COST OF AN OBVIOUS AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURE SCREW UP. MY MOTOR HOME HAD AROUND 25,000 MILES ON IT WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED. *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF 1998 FORD E350 EXTENDED-LENGTH XLT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD ABOUT 98,000 MILES. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DOING MORE THAN 15 MPH. I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VAN STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. I PUT THE VAN IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO BUTTERFIELD FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER, PLUG COIL BROKE IN HALF, CRACKED THE HEAD. FORD WOULD REPAIR THE VAN BUT WOULD NOT OFFER ME A WARRANTY FOR THE WORK DONE. SO, I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE VAN (REFURBISHED ENGINE) FOR $4,500 AND THEY GAVE ME A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE. *JB

1998 FORD XLT E350 SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT ON ENGINE.*MR UPON STARTING THE CAR IT MADE A HORRIBLE ROCKET. IT BLEW THE SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HOOD. CONSUMER SENT A FEW INTERNET ARTICLES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. FORD ENGINE-SPARK PLUG DEFECT. *BF

THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK. CURRENTLY, THE MANUFACTURER IS CONDUCTING A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS AS THOSE WHICH ARE INCLUDED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB RECALL CAMPAIGN; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V114000. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT HER EXPENSE. *TC

BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN VEHICLE REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*MR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED A STOPPED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED FROM UHAUL. A UHAUL TECHNICIAN CAME AND INSPECTD THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS ( OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

Crash

WHEN THE CONSUMER FILLED THE GAS TANK, HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS, WHEN THE CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED FUEL DRIPPING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK*AK . THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL IT LEAKED VERY BAD AND ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. AS THE FUEL IN THE TANK BECAME LOW THE LEAK SLOWED DOWN, THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. PH *JB

HELLO, I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE 15 PASSENGER VANS. HAS ANY ONE CONSIDERED THE ADDITION OF DUAL REAL TIRES ON THESE VEHICLES? IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE LARGER MINI BUSES ARE SAFER, AND I NOTICED THAT THEY ALL HAVE DUAL REAR TIRES. AND THE E-350 VAN I KNOW IS BUILT ON THE SUPER DUTY FORD 250/350 CHASSIS WHICH CAN BE ORDERED WITH DUAL REAR TIRES? WOULDN'T THESE MAKE THE CHANCE OF ROLLOVERS LESS? THANKS TOM. *NLM

1998 FORD E350 VAN 5.4L V8 BLEW A SPARK PLUG WHEN STARTING ENGINE. SPARK PLUGS WAS CHANGED BY FORD DEALER AT 90,000 MILES PLUG BLEW WITH 122,000 MILES. FORD DEALER REMOVED HEAD, INSTALLED SPARK PLUG INSERT AND CHARGED ME $1700.00 . I BELIEVE SPARK PLUGS SHOULD NEVER BLOW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD WHEN INSTALLED BY A FORD TRAINED MECHANIC. THE SPARK PLUG FORD USES HAS ONLY 6 THREADS ON IT. THAT IS NOT ENOUGH THREADS FOR A ALUMINUM HEAD. THIS IS A ENGINE DESIGN ERROR.TS

WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND I WAS LOADING MY KIDS IN THE VAN, MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD JUMPED INTO FRONT SEAT, AND SHIFTED THE AUTMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL (NOT SURE), ALLOWING VAN TO START ROLLING FORWARD (IT WAS BACKED INTO DRIVEWAY, SO THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS DOWNHILL) I WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE VAN, AND IT WAS JUST STARTING TO ROLL SO IT WAS GOING SLOWING SO I AND A COUPLE OF OTHER GUYS WHO WERE STANDING THERE WITH ME WERE ABLE TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THE FAN AND STOP IT, I THEN JUMPED IN AND APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND SHIFTED IT BACK INTO PARK. THERE WAS NO WAY THE BRAKE COULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED WHILE THE VAN WAS SHIFTED, AS THE 2 YEAR OLD COULD NOT REACH THE BRAKE.*AK

ALWAYS PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING. LEFT FRONT LOCKS UP AND SKIDS WHIN BRAKING FOR A SOTP ON WET PAVEMENT OR ON UNPAVED SURFACES. SAME OCCURS WHEN LOOSE MATERIAL IS ON PAVED SURFACE. BRAKE COMPONENTS (SHOES, CALIPERS, ETC ) HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THERE WAS A BLUE RING ON THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR WHEN WORK WAS DONE. WHEN THE LEFT FRONT SKIDS THERE IS NO BRAKING. FORTUNATELY IT ONLY HAPPENS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS (AT LOW SPEEDS) RESULTING IN ONLY 20-30 OCCURRENCES IN 94,00 MILES. THE PULL IS COMPENSATED FOR ON DRY CONDITIONS BY INCREASED STEERING EFFORT AND BY THE STEERING STABILIZER. THE DEALER (GILMORE FORD) HAS BEEN ABLE TO VERIFY THE CONDITION BUT UNABLE TO CORRECT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONTACT A FOCTORY TECH. REPRESENTATIVE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT MANY DRIVE AS MUCH AS I AND MAY CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUAL OCCURRENCE UNIQUE. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT LOW SPEED ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AND JUST BEEN CONSIDERED "OVER DRIVING". I HAD TO RECENTLY CANCEL USE OF THIS VEHICLE ON A TRIP BECAUSE MECH OF THE TRAVEL WAS IN THE MOUNTAINS ON UNPAVED ROADS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN UNSAFE!*AK

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *AK

PE0 020; WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY HEARD A LOUD NOISE. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER,AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE COMPLETELY. TFIRESTONE, LT225/7516, DOTDA1809. *AK

THERE IS A HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE ENGINE HEAD UNDER THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, WHEN THE HOLES BREAK THROUGH, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND COVER INSIDE OF THE VAN GET COVERED WITH BOILING HOT ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT.*JB

VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, ENGINE REVVED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING HAD HEARD A NOISE UNDER HOOD. STOPPED AND CHECKED LOCATION. NOTICED FAN HAD SHIFTED POSITION. THIS CAUSED IT TO HIT THE SHROUD. MOUNTS FOR SUPPORTING RADIATOR HAD CRACKED. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CRACKS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND INFORMED NO COMPLAINTS BEEN FILED. *AK

THE RESCUE VEHICLE HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE INSIDE DUAL WHEEL SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION OF 25% OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. THE RESCUE HAD TO DISCONTINUE ITS EMERGENCY RESPONSE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO IS CONTACTING COOPER DIRECTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS WILL BE TREATED AS A "ROAD HAZARD" FROM MY OBSERVATION IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE SEPARATION, AND I HAVE CONCERNS IN REGARDS TO A SIMILLAR OCCURENCE WITH THE REMAINING TIRES AS THIS IS AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE AND THE LIVES OF MY CREWS AND THE PUBLIC RELY ON THIS VEHICLE BEING RELIABLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *AK (DOT NUMBER: UP11C1A506 TIRESIZE: LT 245/75R)

TIRE BLEW UP IN DRIVEWAY. THE TREAD LAYERS BLEW APART AND THE FORCE SPLIT THE SIDEWALLS ON BOTH SIDES. I DO NOT DARE DRIVE THE VAN UNTIL OTHER FIRESTONES ARE REPLACED. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING A YOUTH GROUP OR MY FAMILY ON THE FREEWAY (MY NORMAL USE OF THE VAN), IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT THIS TIRE EXPLODED WHILE NOT BEING DRIVEN. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER FOR A ROUTINE CHECK. DEALER NOTICED A HAIR LINE CRACK IN BRAKES. ROTORS/ PADS AND SHOES WERE REPLACED. VEHCILE SHOWED NO SIGN OF HAVING A PROBLEM.*AK

SLOW SPEED RELEASE OF GAS PEDAL; RPM DROPS/ENGINE STALLS OR ENGINE RPM RISES DRAMATICALLY (2500+).

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED FOUR CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURES IN LESS THAT ONE YEAR. ALL WERE ON 15-PASSENGER FORD VANS USED TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS. EACH FAILURE INVOLVED THE REAR TIRES. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE TIRE EXPLODED SO VIOLENTLY THAT THE VAN SHOOK. THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND DESTROYED THE REAR HEATING. WE JUST NOTICED THAT A FIFTH TIRE HAD A LARGE BULGE INDICATING THAT A FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO ONE OF OUR VANS HAD A BLOWOUT AND ROLLED KILLING ONE CHEARLEADER AND SERIOUSLY INJURING SEVERAL MORE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR WORKHORSE. WHAT CAN YOUR AGENCY TELL ME ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS BRAND OF TIRE? ARE THERE ANY LOAD E TIRES THAT YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT?( DOT NUMBER: )

DEALER REPORTS THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE CRACKED/BROKEN AFTER 26,000 MILES. *AK

THE LEFT FRONT STEER TIRE TREAD JUST CAME OFF - THE TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING AIR AND DID NOT GO FLAT UNTIL THE MOTORHOME SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY - ALL THAT'S LEFT WAS STEEL CORD ALL THE WAY AROUND - THESE TIRES SHOULD NOT BE USED ON MOTORHOMES AS COULD KILL A LOT OF FAMILIES. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THE TIRE? SHOULD I REPLACE ALL 6? SHOULD FIRESTONE REPLACE THEM ? THERE IS ABOUT 5000 MILES ON THIS SET OF TIRES.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDIL1XD329 TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

TREAD SEPARATED, LEFT REAR INSIDE TIRE. IN MAY OF 2000, TREAD SEPERATED ON RIGHT REAR INSIDE R4S TIRE, SO I HAVE A 50% FAILURE RATE ON REAR TIRES. DEALER SAYS RIGHT OUTSIDE REAR R4S TIRE SHOULD BE REPLACED---HAS CRACK ON OUTSIDE WALL BELOW TREAD.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225/75R16E)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/75R16E )

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION SPARK PLUGS BLEWOUT ON ENGINE HEAD. ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. *AK *SLC

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION SPARK PLUG(S) BLEWOUT ON ENGINE HEAD . ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED. *AK *SLC

THE CONSUMER IS IN CHARGE OF 40 VEHICLES MODEL YEARS 1997 AND 1998 E350 CUTAWAY VANS USED FOR PARATRANSIT WORK, 70% OF THE VEHICLES HAVE HAD DRIVELINE E-BRAKE LEAKS CAUSING GREAT COST IN REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS TO THE COMPANY. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ABS SUDDENLY ENGAGED THEN RELEASED, AND CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES. ABS LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM, ABS REPLACED 4 TIMES . PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

BOLT BROKEN THAT HOLDS THE STEERING GEAR BOX AND THE SMELL FROM THE HEATER MAKES YOU SICK.*AK

RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT SIDE SEAM CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE AND MADE IT HARD TO CONTROL THE RV. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED AT 80 PSI AS REQUIRED BY FORD AND THE RV INSTRUCTIONS. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEEMS TO BE WEARING IMPROPERLY. WE ARE PLANNING ON A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP THIS MONTH AND I'M HESITANT TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES AS THE TREAD COULD SEPARATE THE SAME AS THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE. (TIRESIZE: LT225/7516)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT225/7516 )

ONE TIRE FAILED (BLOWOUT) AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SECOND TIRE FAILED WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF SEVERAL OTHER RVERS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEELTEX TIRES. I SPOKE TO A FRIEND THAT HAS HAS 7 STEELTEX FAILURES. I HAVE REPLACED MY ALL OF MY STEELTEX TIRES TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO OUR RV RESULTING FROM A BLOWOUT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I CAN BE COMPENSATED FOR THE EXPENDITURES INCURRED IN REPLACING OUR DEFECTIVE STEELTEX TIRES BEFORE THEY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY IN MY FAMILY. REGARDS, RICK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L 1XD TIRESIZE: LT225/75R1)

WHILE ON VACATION IN ALASKA DURING THE PERIOD OF 05/20/99 THRU 07/10/99, WE EXPERIENCED 2 MAJOR BLOWOUTS. ONE CAUSING $3000 OF REPAIR COSTS TO THE LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE MOTORHOME. THREE OTHER TIRES HAVE WORN UNEVENLY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE. ONE HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XO167 TIRESIZE: R16MF)